The problem (and who it hits)
If you use USPS Informed Delivery (or other USPS.com tools like PO Box Online), you may suddenly be unable to sign in because:
- USPS.com forces multi-factor authentication (MFA) enrollment and you can’t proceed without it.
- You keep getting prompted for verification every single login.
- The verification email link doesn’t arrive (or shows up very late).
- The SMS code never arrives (or arrives after it expires), so you’re trapped in a login loop.
This is especially painful when you need Informed Delivery quickly (mail previews, package tracking visibility, identity verification steps, etc.) or you’re managing mail for a household or small business.
Why it’s happening
USPS has been rolling out stronger sign-in protections. According to USPS, beginning March 6, 2025, all new USPS.com accounts must enroll in MFA. Older accounts may be offered MFA enrollment as optional (with the ability to delay prompts), but new accounts don’t get an opt-out path. [1]
MFA improves account security—but it also creates a single point of failure when:
- Your email provider delays the verification message.
- Your phone can’t receive short codes reliably.
- You’re switching devices/browsers frequently, triggering extra verification prompts.
Users have also publicly reported ongoing USPS notification and texting inconsistencies over many months, which suggests that “message delivery” problems can happen even when your own phone and email are fine. [7]
Fixes that work (start here)
1) Confirm you’re on the real USPS login—and avoid “login bait” emails
Because USPS is a common phishing target, start clean:
1. Manually type USPS.com into your browser (don’t click old email links).
2. Sign in from the official site and navigate to Informed Delivery from there.
3. If you opened a suspicious email, do not reuse that link. If you already entered credentials, change your USPS password.
(Phishing looks similar to MFA setup messages, and confusion is common.)
2) If the verification email link doesn’t arrive: fix deliverability first
Try these in order:
1. Wait 5–10 minutes, then request the link again (some providers queue authentication emails).
2. Check Spam/Junk, Promotions, and All Mail.
3. Search your mailbox for “USPS” and “verify” (some systems misfile automated messages).
4. If you use a custom domain (work email), ask IT to allow-list USPS mail.
5. Try signing in from a different network (cellular vs. home Wi‑Fi) and request the link again.
If you can choose between email vs. SMS verification, try the other method.
3) If SMS codes don’t arrive: do the quick phone-side checks
1. Restart the phone.
2. Ensure you can receive short codes (some plans/lines or spam filters block them).
3. Disable “Silence Unknown Callers” / spam filtering temporarily (carrier features can block automated texts).
4. If dual-SIM/eSIM: make sure the correct line is the default for SMS.
5. Try requesting the code again after 10 minutes.
If SMS still fails consistently, switch to email verification where possible.
4) Reduce repeat prompts: make one device/browser your “USPS device”
MFA prompts are more frequent when the system doesn’t recognize your session.
1. Pick one browser (Chrome/Safari/Edge) and one device.
2. Enable cookies for USPS.com.
3. Avoid private/incognito windows.
4. Don’t use aggressive auto-delete settings for cookies/site data.
This doesn’t “remove MFA,” but it can reduce how often you get challenged.
5) Use the official USPS escalation path for Informed Delivery MFA
If you’re locked out despite the steps above:
1. Use USPS’s Informed Delivery MFA help/contact channel: the USPS MFA article directs users to the Informed Delivery inquiry form for assistance. [1]
2. If your issue is tied to commercial tools (Business Customer Gateway/EDDM/PostalOne), USPS lists the Mailing & Shipping Solutions Center (MSSC) support line and hours. [1]
When you contact support, include:
- Your USPS username/email
- The exact error message
- Whether you’re using email or SMS verification
- Date/time of last successful login
- Screenshots (if possible)
6) Don’t confuse this with Login.gov identity verification
Some federal services use Login.gov, which has its own verification steps (including USPS-based in-person identity verification for some agencies). If you’re stuck on a government identity workflow (not USPS.com login), follow Login.gov’s in-person verification instructions (barcode + participating Post Office) rather than USPS.com account steps. [3]
Checklist (copy/paste)
- [ ] I am signing in directly on USPS.com (not from an email link)
- [ ] I requested the MFA email link/code twice, 10 minutes apart
- [ ] I checked Spam/Junk/Promotions/All Mail for the verification message
- [ ] I tried the other verification method (email vs SMS) if available
- [ ] I used one consistent device + browser, with cookies enabled
- [ ] I restarted my phone and checked short-code/spam filtering settings
- [ ] I submitted an Informed Delivery MFA help request via the official USPS channel
FAQ
1) Is MFA required for USPS.com accounts now?
For new USPS.com accounts created on or after March 6, 2025, USPS says MFA enrollment is required. Older accounts may see MFA as optional (or deferrable). [1]2) Why do I get prompted for a code every time?
Frequent prompts can happen if USPS can’t keep a trusted session (cookies cleared, device changes, private browsing) or if the system flags sign-in risk. Using one browser/device and keeping cookies can help.3) I’m not receiving the verification email—does that mean my account is hacked?
Not necessarily. Email delays, spam filtering, and provider-side blocking are common causes. Start with mailbox searches and spam folders, then retry.4) Can USPS support remove MFA for me?
USPS’s published guidance emphasizes MFA requirements and support channels rather than a “disable MFA” option, especially for new accounts. [1]5) Is this the same as the USPS employee LiteBlue MFA?
No. USPS employees use separate internal systems (e.g., LiteBlue/Okta). Employee guidance about backup MFA methods exists, but it’s not the same login path as USPS.com consumer Informed Delivery accounts. [2]Key Takeaways
- USPS began requiring MFA for all new USPS.com accounts starting March 6, 2025. [1]
- Most “code never arrives” cases are deliverability or short-code blocking—fixable with basic checks.
- The fastest path is often: switch method (email vs SMS), stabilize your device/browser setup, then escalate via official USPS Informed Delivery support. [1]
- Don’t mix up USPS.com login issues with Login.gov identity verification flows. [3]
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Facts: USPS.com requires MFA enrollment for new accounts created on/after 2025-03-06. USPS.com/Informed Delivery MFA failures commonly present as login loops, missing verification email links, or missing SMS one-time codes. Primary mitigations include checking spam folders, retrying after delays, switching verification method (email vs SMS), keeping cookies enabled on a single browser/device, and contacting USPS via the official Informed Delivery inquiry form for MFA help.
Keywords: USPS Informed Delivery MFA not working, USPS.com verification code not received, USPS email verification link missing, USPS login loop, USPS multifactor authentication March 6 2025, Informed Delivery account locked out.
Sources
[1] USPS — "Multifactor Authentication (MFA)" (USPS FAQ)
[2] USPS Postal Bulletin — "Don’t Get Locked Out: Add Your Backup MFA Method" (employee MFA guidance)
[3] Login.gov — "Verify your identity in person" (USPS-based in-person proofing steps for partner agencies)
[4] USPS FAQ — "Mailing & Shipping Solutions Center" (MSSC contact details/hours)
[5] USPS Employee News — "Ready to help" (background on MSSC support center)
[6] Reddit — user reports about repeated USPS MFA prompts (illustrates pattern; not authoritative)
[7] Reddit — user reports about USPS texting/notification issues persisting (illustrates pattern; not authoritative)